5 Eleint 2993

In preparation for his return to Gosterwick, Fenpenny Copperleaf asks Nubbins to write him a letter of introduction to Fael Valdorsdot, unofficial ombudsperson for the town of Gosterwick, member of The Higher Committee for Natural Equity and the Protection of Greenspaces, and Nubbins’ trainer. With letter in hand, Fenpenny and Callum Rivers depart Arden Vul and eventually arrive in Gosterwick to reconvene with Černoboš Vosk, Fernweh Fareburrow, Huzzah!, and Grexes and further investigate the missing orphans and canon of Mitra.

The party goes to the Grain Hall and, producing Nubbins’ letter, is shown to Fael Valdorsdot’s office. Fael seems genuinely concerned about the missing orphans, especially given what happened a year ago on the date of Mabon, the Feast of Consanguinity, and this year’s mirroring of those events. After Fenpenny briefs her on the R3C’s investigation thus far, she asks the party to inform her druid circle, located in the Old Forest, of what has been discovered. The group accepts.

Fael Valdorsdot also provides the following information:

• Mabon is a harvest festival that celebrates the bonds of family.
• Some say it’s the “Old Forest” because the ancient Archonteans didn’t cut it down. Others say the Old Forest couldn’t be cut down as it is too deeply magical a place. The veil between the fey realms and the Material Plane is thin there.
• The veil is at it thinnest near the date of Mabon.
• All the victims of last year’s incident were from the same family: a mother and her five children, one of which was unborn.
• The victims were killed “humanely.” Some might expect ritual killings to be gruesome, but these were made with one clean cut across the throat.
• The victims’ bodies were found at a ruined temple to Jael in the Old Forest. The temple site is on the way if going from Gosterwick to the druid circle.
• Wasps with livery have been reported in the Old Forest. They fly with purpose, taking direct routes. One of the wasps has been seen bearing a rider, a completely unnatural relationship.

Following that exchange, the party goes to the Little Acorns Orphanage to ask if the missing orphans were perhaps related by blood. Nurse Sally Sparrow and two other orphans questioned aren’t really sure. They do say that everyone at the orphanage feels like they are all one family and that priestly types occasionally come to perform a Ceremony that encourages such familial attachment.

The party then heads out, passes through Thorham, and reaches the heavily wooded Old Forest late in the day. Maybe half a mile after crossing over the abrupt treeline, the group comes upon an extraordinary scene. In the middle of a 50-foot clearing is a long table with eight plate settings and a steaming pot of tea. As Huzzah! picks up the teapot, it flies out of his hands, landing on the ground a few feet away. All sorts of utensils and flatware spill out from the top of the teapot and coalesce into a teapot golem.

At first the group attempts to speak to the construct, remembering the friendly Clank in Drachedandion Manor, but the golem quickly makes its intentions known as it begins raining down blows with its massive spoon hammer.

In the ensuing fight, the golem proves to have exceptionally strong defenses against the party’s spells, even avoiding Hue’s and Fen’s attempts at psychic damage entirely. Fernweh is the unfortunate party member to discover the golem is immune to damage from nonmagical weapon attacks, but jabs from Černoboš wielding Nightwind and Grexes’ newly enhanced claw strikes find purchase. At Černoboš’ suggestion, Fenpenny, Fernweh, and Huzzah! start throwing butter knives from the magically conjured table, which deal effective dagger-like damage as well.

The golem’s remains, the table, and the place settings all vanish into thin air upon the golem’s defeat. Drained from the battle and with a setting sun looming, the party makes camp for the night. Fernweh molds the earth to create a fire pit and cozy shelter for the party.